The first phase of the race is not very remarkable and then the riders enter the Alto de La Centenera. The 15.1 kilometres climb at 5.5% is succeeded by the Puerto de Pedro Bernardo – 9 kilometres at 4.2% – and shortly after the descent the longest climb of the entire Vuelta appears. The Puerto Mijares climbs for 20.4 kilometres at an average gradient of 5.4%.
That’s three big ascents inside 100 kilometres and there are still almost 40 kilometres remaining. Most of it goes downhill before the Puerto San Juan de Nava marks the last climb of the day. The 8.6 kilometres ascent at 3.8% peaks out 5 kilometres before the line. Most of it goes downhill, although at moderate gradients.
Given the not very demanding finale it’s obvious that GC riders will take it easy. After all, it will be hard to open up time gaps. This paves they way for the breakaway to fight for the stage honours.
Favourites 15th stage 2021 Vuelta a España
*** Romain Bardet, Sergio Henao, Michael Storer, Jay Vine, Tom Pidcock
** Pavel Sivakov, Jan Polanc, Kenny Elissonde, Clément Champoussin, Matthew Holmes
* Ion Izagirre, Lawson Craddock, Jesús Herrada, Gianluca Brambilla, Andreas Kron
Another interesting read: route 15th stage of the 2021 Vuelta.
Related articles Route stage 15: Navalmoral de La Mata - El Barraco - Vuelta 20 The Route - Vuelta 20 Riders - Vuelta 20 Withdrawals - Vuelta 20 Favourites - Vuelta 20 GC Favourites - Vuelta 20 More articles Tour de France 2022: Sprint triumph Groenewegen, Van Aert keeps yellow
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 3: Vejle - Sønderborg
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 4: Dunkirk - Calais
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 4: Strongman-sprinter skillset recommended
Tour de France 2022: The Route
Tour de France 2022: Riders
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 5: Lille - Arenberg
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 5: Roubaix à La Grande Boucle
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 6: Binche - Longwy
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 6: Lumpy race for attackers
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 7: Tomblaine - Planche des Belles Filles
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 7: Attackers or GC clash?
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 8: Dole - Lausanne
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 8: Finale for puncheurs
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 9: Aigle - Châtel
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 9: Attackers in the Alps
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 10: Morzine - Megève
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 10: Breakaway day
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 11: Albertville - Col du Granon
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 11: GC clash at the Granon
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 12: Briançon - Alpe d'Huez
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 12: Attackers in Alpe d'Huez
Tour de France 2022 Route stage 13: Bourg d'Oisans - Saint-Étienne
Tour de France 2022 Favourites stage 13: Hilly specialists with fast legs
Cycling Calendar 2022
Vuelta 2022: The Route
Giro 2022 Route stage 18: Borgo Valsugana - Treviso